Stop Sinning Or Something Even Worse May Happen To You

June 4, 2008 — Yeap Chee Seng

14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”
John 5:14 (NLT)

Does the title look scary? Does it sound like the sermons from the doom and gloom preachers? If you have been reading my writings for some time, I am sure you realize that I am not the doom and gloom type. I do not resort to threats and blackmails in the name of God’s will. I believe in a God who is loving and caring.

Why do you think I put this up? I am been reading the book of John for the past few weeks and I have been writing articles on it. You can see for yourself that I have been quoting from John and the verses are in sequence. Now that I reach John 5:14, I might as well write something on it for 2 reasons:

1. The religious people might accuse me of hiding something.
2. I want to reveal the true meaning of this verse to counter the abuse by the religious people.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am not really that concern of what the religious people are thinking about me. In their mind, anyone who does not agree with them or dance to their tune is a heretic. I have already accepted the fact that their impression of me is nothing more than a heretic. However, I do enjoy exposing the lies of their religion with the truth from the Bible and this is what I going to do now.

Let us get back to the topic. This is a sequence from yesterday’s story. Jesus healed a sick man at the Sheep Gate. The man got healed, picked up his mat and walked away. While he was walking, he was caught by the Pharisee for working on Sabbath. The Pharisee asked him why he broke the law. The man said he was instructed by another man who healed him. However, Jesus was blocked by the crowds and they cannot see him. Later, the man met Jesus at the Temple and Jesus told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”

Opps. Does that mean God will do perverted things to me if I sin? I am sure many religious preachers will capitalize on this to threaten their members to obey their instructions. Unfortunately for them, I am going to explain the truth in this article. If you have been living under such threats, this article will set you free.

Let us start with sin. Jesus told the man to stop sinning. So, the meaning of sin must be crucial in this study. Here we go, an act of sin is an act that is against the will of God in our lives. Next, what is the will of God? Let me give you God’s master plan for our lives.

2Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
3 John 1:2 (KJV)

The greatest wish of God for our lives is for us to prosper and be in health as our souls prosper. This is the master plan of God for you and me. Therefore, every instruction and direction from God must lead to his master plan which is recorded in 3 John 1:2. An act of sin is an act against God’s instructions and directions. Since the direction from God leads to health, wealth and soul prosperity, an act against this direction must lead to sickness, lack and soul poverty.

When Jesus said those words in John 5:14, he was basically saying do not go against God’s direction on health, wealth and soul prosperity in your life. If you do, you will experience the opposite of God’s will for you. God will never make us poor and sick. If you happen to be poor and sick, you must realize that God wants you rich and healthy. If you want to be rich and healthy you need to follow God’s direction for your life. It begins with faith. You need to build up your faith. You can do that by reading the Bible, listening to faith messages and meditate on his words. I suggest you start reading the articles in this blog because they were all written based on the Word of God to set us free and to prosper us.

As you do, please ignore the negative comments from the religious people. The reason I keep their blasphemies is to serve as my trophies. Each time I see their blasphemies, I am reminded of the fact that Satan is getting desperate. This encourages me to continue writing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I would like to stress that John 5:14 is not a threat. Threats have often been used by religious leaders. They will tell you, “You better do what I told you or you are going to answer to God.” So the basic idea is if you don’t follow their instructions, God will do perverted things in your life. This is religion, not Jesus.

Jesus’ words in John 5:14 are the equivalent of, “Don’t smoke or you might get lung cancer.” God will never give lung cancer to smokers. It is the nicotine in their smoke that gives them lung cancer. Likewise, Jesus will never cause bad things to happen to that man. It was his sin that will act as the equivalent of nicotine that causes bad things to happen to his life. Jesus was only reminding him not to do anything that will adversely affect his health and wealth.

In conclusion, Jesus does not threaten nor blackmail people into obedience. Religious people threaten and blackmail but not Jesus. I hope this article can help you to be aware of the true nature of God.

I enjoy the messages you posted. They have been helpful! However, I am not thrilled that you talk so negatively about “the religious people” as though they are terrible people. In reality, we are all terrible people compared to Christ. I think it is nice to share your beliefs and the Truth with them without a condescending attitude as if Christians are better. God loves all people and he has a desire to be with each of us. Let’s be Christ to these pre-Christians so they can understand who we are in God and better yet, who Jesus is and what God wants for our lives.

God may strenthen you in your spirit by power of spirit Ephesians 3:16
You well said that below verses!
“If you happen to be poor and sick, you must realize that God wants you rich and healthy. If you want to be rich and healthy you need to follow God’s direction for your life.”
“Jesus’ words in John 5:14 are the equivalent of, “Don’t smoke or you might get lung cancer.” God will never give lung cancer to smokers. It is the nicotine in their smoke that gives them lung cancer. Likewise, Jesus will never cause bad things to happen to that man. It was his sin that will act as the equivalent of nicotine that causes bad things to happen to his life. Jesus was only reminding him not to do anything that will adversely affect his health and wealth.”

When you describe yourself as “worst sinner”, you may appear to be politically correct to the religious people. They may even see you as humble. However, in the eyes of God, that is a blasphemy. When you identify yourself even as a slight sinner, you are effectively denying what Jesus has done for you at the Cross.

If you are really serious in honouring God, you got to change your outlook. Start seeing yourself as a saint.

Thank you for allowing me to post here.
Through this question i go through what i learned from spirit of God –
Are believer having only new nature 2 corinthians 5:17,not having double minded,double nature,carnal nature within us? Born again can’t sin ?1 john 3:6,9 then why believer do sin even me and you? are believer died to sin ?crucified our flesh and lust at cross Romans 6:2-6,Galatians 5:24? then why many times believers walk by will of flesh,according to satan nature ,carnal nature? Ephesians 2:1-3.
Then are we not saved ? no no!! ; He who led by spirit ,doing will of God is saved because called us doing his will ,good works,just and become holy. Ephesians 2:10,Titus 2:14, 2 thessalonians 2:14,romans 8:29 this is why God called us that doing his will and became blameless and be holy . Ephesians 1:4,Romans 8:29
Then are we not died to sin Romans 6:2,6; and crucified our lust and desire at cross when we belong to Christ? Galatians 5:24. Our old adam nature which is within us will be dead when we being in Christ and led by spirit doing will of God Romans 8:9-11, 1 john 3:8
By Will of God ,Jesus Christ through his death he made us free from bondage of sin,Control of sin,master of sin to whome we were slave to do evil,serve satan’s will Ephesians 2:1=3,Romans 6:5,Galatians 1:4 AND through his resurrection he made us free to God’s will,good,just which are unable to do by us because we were under control of sinful nature,chain of spirit of devil. Romans 7:4,6,Romans 6:17-18,1 Peter 2:24,2 corinthians 5:21,Romans 4:25,Epesians 2:1-10,Titus 2:11-15,1 corinthians 6:9-12,Titus 3:5,1 john 3:5-6
NOW believer are not in/under sin by what Christ jesus has done for us at cross according to will of God,But if anyone says that still he is under/in control of sin,domination of sin then he deceives himself and other. 1 corinthians 15:17,romans 6:17-18
Yes still we have sin nature within us, if we say that we don’t have sin nature within us we deceives us truth is not in us. 1 john 1:8-10,Ephesians 4:22-24,colossians 3:9-10
so still carnal nature within us even though saved which is never obey to God’s law and will,always adament to do will of flesh,never control by will of anyman.
But our carnal nature,old adam nature,old self Romans 8:7-8,James 3:8
If we live by flesh we will die in sin and became slave to sin and if we live by faith of spirit we will live . Romans 8:13-14,Matthew 16:23-27,1 peter 2:19.John 8:34,Romans 6:12,13
old self will have to be swallowed up by glorious body:-
See why i am saying that worst sinner because still i have old adam nature which is adament to do will of God,sometimes never serve to LORD only but serve my flesh.I AM NOT SAYING THAT I AM UNDER/IN SINFUL NATURE,CONTROL OF SIN BUT SINFUL NATURE WITHIN ME.
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? YOU BELIVE THAT YOU ARE SAINT AND NOT WORST SINNER!!! OK WELL DO YOU ALWAYS WALK ACCORDING TO SAINT OR SOMETIMES DOING SIN OR YIELD TO WILL OF YOUR FLESH? show your saint nature by walking as sainth. James 2:14-17 Yes ,still I have old adam nature so i walk by spirit very very carefully not obeying to will of carnal mind,flesh of lust. Romans 6:12-13,1 peter 2:19,John 8:34Ephesians 4:22-24,Colossians 3:9-10
Ok since you said that i won’t say i am worst sinner but Live by spirit i will show myself as good as a saint in Christ, Not only have faith but also having good deeds. thanks my brother chee. Matthew 10:38-39,Romans 8:13-14,Ephesians 2:10,Colossians 3:10
Lord knows how i argues with religious people who is only doing ritual,ceremonial ,religious activities,going sunday church but not connected with head of Christ ,In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and we are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.. Colossians 2:9-10,19
Religious Sunday church can’t destroyed the power of sin slavery, but fellowship with christ 1 john 3:8,colossians 2:19
Serving Lord,Jealous for lord can’t make you free from sin but led by spirit as mary. luke 10:39,42 ,Romans 8:12, Romans 6:12-13
Bible reading with mind can’t defeat the power of sin within us but humble spirit close with Lord can break of dominitation of sin. Colossians 2:11-15
Pray with carnal mind can’t heal your inner sin but faith of heart which is led by spirit can heal you .2 Kings 5:14,Luke 8:44,Luke 13:13,1 peter 2:23

Thank you for reply . “That is better. A saint who sins is better than a sinner who do good deeds.” Wow pastor! precious truth.
According to Will of God, Lord Jesus destroyed the power of body of sin within us,made us free from bondage of sin and fullfilled the law of righteous in us who being led by spirit. Romans 7:14-8:4,10:4,8:13-14,Matthew 5:17,1 john 3:8,Ephesians 2:10,Titus 2:11-14,Matthew 10:38,2 Timothy 1:9-10.
Do you still remember me “Elango Gopal” gopal elango in comment two years back https://cheee.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/overcoming-lust/ who is myself , between this two years Lord made my feet like deer’s feet, made me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:19,Ephesians 3:16,Romans 8:9-10.

I will be touch with this blog as fellowship with Lord Jesus, Kindly request you please pastor being continuing the will of LORD in your blog since June, 2011 your don’t update in blog.
Thank you for warned me by led of Spirit/Christ, Saint in Christ Gopalelango, Elango Gopal.